Garment Ventilation System

ABSTRACT

A garment ventilation system. The garment ventilation system has a motorized fan rotatably disposed within a fan housing. A vent tube, which has a first end and a second end, defines an interior channel. The first end of the vent tube removably secures to the fan housing. The second end of the vent tube further includes an inflatable member. The inflatable member receives forced air from the motorized fan via the vent tube. The inflatable member further includes a plurality of apertures through which the forced air is expelled. The vent tube includes a hook shape for removably supporting the garment ventilation system on an edge of a garment. The garment ventilation system is utilized to provide airflow underneath the garment of a wearer in order to aid in keeping the wearer cool and dry.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/717,028 filed on Aug. 10, 2018. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to personal ventilation systems. More particularly, the present invention provides for a portable garment ventilation system utilized to provide airflow underneath the garment of a wearer in order to aid in keeping the wearer cool and dry.

Many people who spend significant periods of time outside have to deal with undesirable temperatures making them uncomfortable. Police officers, for example, wear several layers of clothing, and sometimes ballistic vests while working out in the elements. Even in normal temperatures, wearing such clothing and protection gets very warm for the officer and results in them becoming sweaty. This problem can get exponentially worse in the summer as temperatures and humidity levels climb. Heat gets trapped under the clothing, which may result in heat rash, heat exhaustion, and extreme discomfort. Without proper ventilation, sweat that gets trapped under the clothing will cause the clothing to become wet and remain wet throughout the individual's time outside. Even in the winter, sweat generated from physical exertion can become trapped and cause the wearer to become wet and cold.

Devices have been disclosed in the known art that relate to personal ventilation systems. These include devices that have been patented and disclosed in patent application publications. However, the devices in the known art have several drawbacks. Some devices require the individual to attach the device to an air vent or outlet, such as can be found in a car. These devices require the person to stay in close proximity to the car. Other devices must be secured to the article of clothing and cannot be easily adjusted to direct airflow and ventilation to a specific area of the wearer.

The present invention substantially diverges in design elements from the known art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing personal ventilation devices. In this regard the present invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of personal ventilation devices now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a portable garment ventilation system utilized to provide airflow underneath the garment of a wearer in order to aid in keeping the wearer cool and dry. The present garment ventilation system has a motorized fan rotatably disposed within a fan housing. A vent tube, which has a first end and a second end, define an interior channel. The first end of the vent tube removably secures to the fan housing. The second end of the vent tube further comprises an inflatable member. The inflatable member receives forced air from the motorized fan via the vent tube. The inflatable member further comprises a plurality of apertures through which the forced air is expelled. The vent tube includes a hook shape for removably supporting the garment ventilation system on an edge of a garment. The garment ventilation system is utilized to provide airflow underneath the garment of a wearer in order to aid in keeping the wearer cool and dry.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1A shows a front view of an embodiment of the garment ventilation system.

FIG. 1B shows a rear view of an embodiment of the garment ventilation system.

FIG. 2A shows a front view of an embodiment of the garment ventilation system.

FIG. 2B shows a rear view of an embodiment of the garment ventilation system.

FIG. 3A shows a front view of an embodiment of the garment ventilation system.

FIG. 3B shows a rear view of an embodiment of the garment ventilation system.

FIG. 4 shows a front view of an embodiment of the garment ventilation system, with a focus on power sources.

FIG. 5 shows a front view of an embodiment of the garment ventilation system, in use.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the garment ventilation system, with a focus on how the tube connects to the fan housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the garment ventilation system. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, a preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for the garment ventilation system. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now to FIGS. 1A and 1B, there are shown a front view and a rear view of an embodiment of the garment ventilation system respectively. The garment ventilation system comprises a motorized fan 100 rotatably disposed within a fan housing 110. In the shown embodiment, the fan housing 110 comprises a box shape in order to minimize materials needed while still encompassing the fan blades. Additionally, in the shown embodiment, the fan housing 110 has a front side on which an air inlet 120 is disposed. By operation of the motorized fan 100, air is pulled in through the air inlet 120 into the fan housing 110. In the shown embodiment, a grating 130 is disposed across the air inlet 120 in order to prevent debris from entering the fan housing 110. In various embodiments, the fan housing 110 and the motorized fan 100 comprise a plastic material. The plastic material provides a strong material that is resistant to damage when impacted from small debris drawn into the fan housing 110 and the motorized fan 100.

Referring now to FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 6, there are shown a front view and a rear view of an embodiment of the garment ventilation system, respectively, and a perspective view of an embodiment of the garment ventilation system, with a focus on how the tube connects to the fan housing. The fan housing 110 comprises an opening 210 at a top end 200 of the fan housing 110. A vent tube 140, having a first end 241 and a second end 242, defines an interior channel. The first end 241 of the vent tube 140 removably secures to the fan housing 110 and is in communication with the fan housing 110 via the opening 210 at the top end 200 of the fan housing 110. In this manner, air drawn into the fan housing 110 is directed through the opening 210 at the top end 200 of the fan housing 110 into the first end 241 of the vent tube 140.

Referring now to FIGS. 3A and 3B, there are shown a front view and a rear view of an embodiment of the garment ventilation system respectively. The second end 242 of the vent tube 140 further comprises an inflatable member 300. The inflatable member 300 receives air forced through the vent tube via the motorized fan. The inflatable member 300 further comprises a plurality of apertures 310 through which the forced air is expelled. The shape of the vent tube 140 and the inflatable member 300 is able to be customized for the individual needs of the wearer. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the shape of the vent tube 140 and the inflatable member 300 is a series of progressively longer and shorter vertical channels. Such a configuration enables a wearer to receive air flow over a larger portion of their chest. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2B and 2B, the shape of the vent tube 140 and the inflatable member 300 is an inverted “T” shape. Such a configuration enables a wearer to have air flow along a midline, with a greater dispersion of air along the horizontal portion thereof. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the shape of the vent tube 140 and the inflatable member 300 is an inverted fan shape. Such a configuration enables a wearer to isolate the air flow to a lower region of their chest, with a dispersal fanning out from a central area of the chest.

In various embodiments, the inflatable member 300 is tapered toward a flattened second end. In such a configuration, the flattened second end allows the inflatable member 300 to rest against a larger surface area, which provides greater air flow to the user, and wicks additional moisture where the inflatable material 300 is a moisture-wicking material. In one embodiment, the vent tube comprises a flexible material such that a wearer can further customize and direct air flow. In a further embodiment, the flexible material is configured to maintain an orientation as set by a wearer, such that when the wearer flexes the material into a position, the vent tube will remain in that position until further modified by the wearer. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand that many other variations are possible to custom suit the wearer.

In one embodiment, the inflatable member 300 further comprises a fabric cover. In a further embodiment, the fabric cover wicks moisture, such that sweat and other moisture generated by a wearer can be absorbed and moved away from the surface of the wearer's skin.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a front view of an embodiment of the garment ventilation system, with a focus on power sources. The motorized fan 100 is connected to a power source. In one embodiment, the power source is a rechargeable battery 410. In another embodiment, the power source is a solar panel 420. In yet another embodiment the solar panel 420 is in operably connected to a rechargeable battery 410 such that the solar energy harnessed can be used to power the motorized fan 100 and recharge the rechargeable battery 410. In the shown embodiment, two ports are disposed on a bottom of the housing. The solar panel 420 is plugged in to a first port 431 and the rechargeable battery 410 is plugged in to a second port 432. In this manner, a wearer can wear the solar panel 420 in an area exposed to sunlight while also wearing the rechargeable battery 410 in a different area. The flexibility of type of power source, coupled with the ability to transport the power source in an easy manner provide for a fully portable garment ventilation system.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown a front view of an embodiment of the garment ventilation system, in use. The vent tube 140 includes a hook configuration for removably supporting the garment ventilation system on an edge of a garment. The hook configuration is utilized to position the fan housing 110, including the motorized fan 100, on an outer surface of an individual's garments such that air is able to be drawn in through the air inlet 120. The vent tube 140 is removably secured to the top end 200 of the fan housing 110 and the vent tube 140 loops up and over the edge of the garment such that the inflatable member 300 is disposed underneath the garment. This configuration enables a wearer to position the garment ventilation system over a desired area of their body by simply hanging the garment ventilation system over a piece of clothing. In one embodiment, the vent tube 140 includes a spring biased clip such that the wearer can more securely fasten the garment ventilation system in position. In another embodiment, the vent tube 140 further comprises a fastener that is utilized to securely fasten the garment ventilation system in position.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

We claim: 1) A garment ventilation system, comprising: a motorized fan rotatably disposed within a fan housing; a vent tube having a first end and a second end defining an interior channel therebetween; the first end of the vent tube removably secured to the fan housing; the second end of the vent tube further comprising an inflatable member; the inflatable member receiving forced air from the motorized fan via the vent tube; the inflatable member further comprising a plurality of apertures through which the forced air is expelled; the vent tube includes a hook configuration for removably supporting the garment ventilation system on an edge of a garment. 2) The garment ventilation system of claim 1, wherein the inflatable member further comprises a fabric cover. 3) The garment ventilation system of claim 2, wherein the inflatable member wicks moisture away from a surface. 4) The garment ventilation system of claim 1, wherein the inflatable member is an inverted fan shape, such that the forced air is expelled from a plurality of apertures disposed along the midline and outer edges of the flattened outlet end. 5) The garment ventilation system of claim 1, wherein the motorized fan is connected to a rechargeable battery. 6) The garment ventilation system of claim 1, wherein the motorized fan is connected to a solar panel. 7) The garment ventilation system of claim 1, wherein the vent tube is flexible. 8) A garment ventilation system, comprising: a motorized fan rotatably disposed within a fan housing; a vent tube having a first end and a second end defining an interior channel therebetween; the first end of the vent tube removably secured to the fan housing; the second end of the vent tube further comprising an inflatable member; the inflatable member is tapered toward a flattened second end; the inflatable member receiving forced air from the motorized fan via the vent tube; the inflatable member further comprising a plurality of apertures through which the forced air is expelled; the vent tube includes a hook configuration for removably supporting the garment ventilation system on an edge of a garment. 9) The garment ventilation system of claim 8, wherein the flattened outlet end is configured as an inverted “T” such that the forced air is expelled from a plurality of apertures disposed along the vertical and horizontal aspects of the flattened outlet end. 10) The garment ventilation system of claim 8, wherein the inflatable member is an inverted fan shape, such that the forced air is expelled from a plurality of apertures disposed along the midline and outer edges of the flattened outlet end. 11) The garment ventilation system of claim 8, wherein the motorized fan is connected to a rechargeable battery. 12) The garment ventilation system of claim 8, wherein the motorized fan is connected to a solar panel. 13) The garment ventilation system of claim 8, wherein the vent tube is flexible. 